FEMA to keep temporary housing in Joplin

The Federal Emergency Management Agency placed temporary housing units in Joplin, Mo., similar to the one shown.

Kansas City District
/ FLICKR

Some families who lost their homes in the Joplin tornado have been given a seven-month extension to stay in government housing, but it will no longer be free.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted a request to keep its temporary housing units in Joplin until June 9, 2013. The trailers had been scheduled to be removed on Nov. 9, when the eligibility for free housing expires.

Candy Newman is the branch chief for individual assistance at FEMA's regional office in Kansas City. She says there once were 586 households living in FEMA housing after the May 2011 tornado. That's down to 157, and the agency expects around 120 to remain after November.

Families will be charged rent beginning in December but could seek reductions based on their household incomes.